Plans Move Forward for Western Europe’s Tallest Residential Tower

British government granted planning consent for the redevelopment of a project in Vauxhall, central London, which will include Western Europe's tallest residential tower.

The U.K. government has granted planning consent without public inquiry to an approximately $800- million redevelopment project in Vauxhall, central London. Dubbed One Nine Elms, the scheme would include Western Europe’s tallest residential tower at 656 feet.

Behind the project is a joint venture by Green Property Ltd. and CIT Group Plc. The developers are proposing two mixed-use high-rises of 58 and 43 stories, which are set to replace the 1970’s Market Towers building on the corner of Wandsworth Road and Nine Elms Lane.

Designed by architects Kohn Pedersen Fox, the new development seeks to create an urban oasis with a wide range of complementary uses. Plans call for 487 high quality homes, including 51 affordable housing units, about 118,000 square feet of modern office space, a 209-room four star hotel and more than 7,700 square feet of retail space. The ground floor level will include a major public square lined with shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. At the top of the tallest tower, a free public viewing level will offer visitors fantastic views of the city’s skyline.

According to Property Wire, One Nine Elms becomes the country’s tallest residential tower to gain planning consent without going to a public inquiry.

“Demonstrate the Government’s commitment to economic growth and allow this decision to proceed at the local level,” London Mayor Boris Johnson urged U.K. Secretary of State Eric Pickles in a letter sent on August 31.

“The decision of the Secretary of State not to call in the ONE project is a ringing endorsement of the hard work that the development team have devoted to delivering a scheme, which is of the highest architectural standards and will bring real benefits to this area of London,” said Michael Tapp, director of Green Property in a statement.

The project is part of the Vauxhall Nine Elms Battersea Opportunity Area master plan that seeks to regenerate an entire district of Central London. Sustained by local authorities, the planning framework is expected to bring up to 16,000 new homes and 25,000 new jobs to this part of the city over the next two decades.